Chapter 19 Forced Family
On September 15th, it was time to sentence Helen and Stevens. Helen had received the divorce papers from Frank. She reluctantly signed and gave them to her lawyer. Helen had not seen the point of remaining married. She would spend a lifetime in prison. Frank deserved to move on. Everyone was in the courtroom when it was time to sentence Helen and Stevens.
"We are here for the sentencing of Helen Plum and Shawn Stevens. I believe that Mrs. Valerie Klunglin has a statement for the court," the judge stated.
Valerie walked up to the podium and removed the paper from her purse. "Growing up in the Burg is challenging for any girl. When you turn eighteen, traditionally, you are to get married, become a housewife and raise children. My sister had always been the exception to the Burg rules. She has street smarts and determination to go against the Burg traditions. I am proud of my sister, Mrs. Stephanie Manoso because she fought to make the Burg traditions a thing of the past. What our mother did to force Stephanie into the Burg mould was despicable. Because of her actions, my daughters and family need to visit a therapist. I ask the court to sentence Mr. Stevens and my mother, Helen Plum, to the maximum sentences allowed by the law. Please, your honour, help me send a message to the Burg women that they do not have the right to control any generation of women. It's time for the Burg to end the traditions from the 50s," Valerie said. She returned to her seat, sitting beside Stephanie and Carlos.
Stephanie stood up to approach the podium. "I don't have a statement prepared. My mother, Helen Plum, never accepted me as I am. Throughout my life, she browbeat me while making me feel unworthy of love. Her punishments for the incidents when I was six and sixteen were unacceptable. The other person involved barely received a verbal reprimand. After all, boys will be boys," Stephanie said. A tear slid down Stephanie's cheek. She brushed it away before continuing. "Hiring someone to force me to get pregnant broke me. Mothers are supposed to protect their children, not sell them to the local thug to carry out their wishes. Your honour, please, give Shawn Stevens and Helen Plum the maximum sentence without eligibility for parole."
"After hearing from Mrs. Kloughn and Mrs. Manoso, I hereby sentence Mrs. Helen Plum 20 years in prison for conspiracy to murder in the first degree. You get another 36 years for kidnapping Joseph Morelli, Stephanie Plum and Carlos Manoso. I'm adding 4 years for perjury. Shawn Stevens, I hereby sentence you to 30 years for murder in the first degree. You too get another 36 years for kidnapping Joseph Morelli, Stephanie Plum and Carlos Manoso. Bailiff, please take away these criminals," the judge ruled. He banged the gavel to dismiss the court.
Instead of retiring to his chambers, the judge approached Frank Plum. He told Frank his colleague in the Family court would rule on his divorce today. Frank thanked the man and went to the other judge's office.
Everyone watched as Helen Plum and Shawn Stevens got escorted from the courtroom. They waited a few minutes before following. Once they got into the hall, Ranger told Valerie and Albert they could use the therapist at Rangeman. "He's very good. Trust me," Ranger said. Ranger took Stephanie's hand as they left the courthouse.
Albert and Valerie exchanged a look as they watched Helen get put into the prison transport van. They noticed Helen staring out the window as the vehicle left the parking lot.
"Okay, I am glad that Rangeman will look out for us," Albert told his wife. He gave Valerie a quick kiss and held her door open for her to slide into the seat. Albert got into his car and headed towards Rangeman.
When he drove a few blocks away from the courthouse, Albert heard something funny coming from the engine. "Oh, boy, this is not good," he mumbled.
Albert exited the car, which started to smoke. He managed to get ten feet away before the vehicle exploded. "You have got to be kidding me. That happens to Stephanie, not me," Albert complained. His phone rang immediately. "Hello."
"Hey, Albert. It's Lester. Your car went offline. Is everything alright?"
"No, my car blew up. It was smoking a minute before the explosion," Albert told him, shaking his head.
"Okay, we are dispatching a car to you now. I just talked to your wife. She is on her way to pick you up. I'm sending Hal to pick up your car.
"Hold on, Val is here now", Albert said when Valerie parked beside him.
"So get back to Rangeman, and we can figure out who targeted your car," Lester said before hanging up.